Composition of aviation-fuel gums

Conference · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:61917

Jones, E G; Lavole, J M ^[1]; Hoke, II, S H ^[2]

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1. Systems Research Labs., Dayton, OH (United States)
2. Purdue Univ., W. Lafayette, IN (United States)

Aviation fuel serves as the primary heat sink in modern aircraft. During heat exchange, fuel containing dissolved oxygen can undergo a series of free-radical reactions classified as autoxidation. Fuels consist of a diverse mixture of hydrocarbons, a small fraction of which contain hetero-atoms such as S and N. These trace fuel components disrupt the free-radical chain reactions by (1) slowing the rate of oxygen consumption and (2) forming S- and N-rich insoluble gums and solids. Some of these insolubles leave deposits on heated surfaces, leading to reduced aircraft performance, costly repairs, and possible system failure. Unfortunately, all projected future high-performance aircraft will require even greater heat dissipation. Recent studies with a S-containing Jet-A fuel designated POSF-2827 show deposition to originate as a surface-deposition precursor, P, which is an insoluble gum (insoluble in heptane, soluble in acetone) that forms during autoxidation in the bulk fuel, diffuses to the metal surface, and reacts or cures, leaving an intractable solid on the surface. This paper report some results of the mass-spectral analysis of these gums.

• OSTI ID: 61917
• Report Number(s): CONF-9405234--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
JET ENGINE FUELS
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RADICALS